The Democratic Alliance entered a confidential contract with Consulum worth around R7.8 million to manage its operations in South Africa's Government of National Unity. Ryan Coetzee, who helped negotiate the DA's entry into the GNU while serving as the firm's CEO, oversaw much of the work. The arrangement has drawn internal party concerns over influence and conflicts of interest.
The contract ran from September 2024 to March 2025. It required Consulum to develop strategies for DA ministers, manage communications, train staff and chair caucus meetings.
Coetzee participated in the 2024 GNU negotiations as part of the DA team alongside Tony Leon. He later represented the party in back-channel talks with the ANC during the 2025 budget dispute.
In April 2026 Geordin Hill-Lewis appointed Coetzee as a GNU adviser. DA insiders have raised concerns that his role extends to performance reviews of ministers and policy direction.
The DA maintains there were no conflicts of interest. Spokesperson Jan de Villiers said few party members would object to the arrangement.
